Brandon Isaak- Here On Earth - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Here On Earth, from Brandon "Yukon Slim" Isaak and it's quite good! Opening with Jim O'Jim a quiet finger picked traditional country blues style track Isaak has a solid voice, a firm guitar bass and nice harp. All Night Long is a poppy acoustic track with alternating bass line and nicely complimented harp work. Gamble On Love is a solidly written "Hillbilly Jazz" track with a nice swing, Dixieland influences and jazzy guitar riffs. This track is a lot of fun. Daniel Lapp adds some really nice cornet as well but Isaak has the center stage with some really clean guitar riffs. Meet Me There has gospel feel and nice slide work. Isaak continues to demonstrate that he is really a solid singer/songwriter deserving of much broader attention. Getting loose on slide on this track adds a cool warmth. Dead Ass Fool has a real proper John Lee Hooker style with the foot stomp and all. With primitive but concise guitar riffs and no pretense, I really like this tracks style! Best track on the release! Funky track City Lights sees the addition of drums (Ed White) and bass (Keith Picot). With a little bit of a swampy flavor this sounds like Dr John is channeling. Dianna Was Her Name has that country blues style with smartly articulated finger picking. Smooth vocals added to a well written track and cool hook make this a candidate for solid radio play track. Up The Frisco Line has that rag feel but with a contemporary slickness. Isaak knows how to lay his vocals right on top of the track and really nice fiddle work adds nicely to this track. Excellent! Best You Can finds Isaak on dobro and a solid finger picked /slider blues track but with the rag feel. Maintaining his bright feel this release just keeps adding up points making it a solid winner. Dressed 4 Heaven is nicely complimented on backing vocals adding a swampy feel. Isaak has such a nice voice for music like this that his smart guitar work becomes almost secondary. If It Don't Fit is a quick little rag like you might expect from Ryland Cooder. Addition of guttural harp work and tight guitar work makes this another favorite. Oh Virginia is a quiet little ballad primarily featuring vocal work. Time On My Hands sounds like it was written before the popularity of the 6 string guitar with percussive like guitar rhythm. Cool bass additions from Picot and nice slide work over the rhythm on this track are the ticket. A cool track to wrap up a fun release. Isaak should get really good recognition from this release.

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Canadian Bluesman Brandon Isaak Releases New CD Here On Earth March 25th

Born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon and currently sharing his time between home and British Columbia, Brandon “Yukon Slim” Isaak is one of Canada's most authentic blues musicians on the scene today.   What separates Brandon Isaak from the rest of the pack, besides his professional musicianship and songwriting, is his ability to connect and involve the audience in his live shows. He is a master storyteller with a sharp sense of humour and his affinity for the rawness and spontaneity of the blues is second to none, as anyone who has had the privilege of being in his audiences will tell you. An accomplished and versatile musician, Isaak plays a wide variety of music styles in his one-man shows, including Ragtime, Delta Blues, Piedmont, Gospel and Swing.   Set for release on March 25, 2014, Here on Earth is the follow up to his debut solo album Bluesman's Plea. It was recorded and produced in Whitehorse at Blue-Star Studios by his brother Chris Isaak. This all original album showcases Isaak’s exemplary songwriting, organic vocals and tasteful guitar thus proving he is one of the top acoustic acts in the country. Here on Earth features special guests including Keith Picot on upright bass, Daniel Lapp on cornet and fiddle, fellow Yukoners Andrea McColeman on concertina and Ed White on drums.   It is a compelling and thoughtful album that takes the listener down some new roads. It proves that Brandon Isaak is willing to share his soul and wear his heart on his sleeve with his true stories of the colourful characters he has met throughout his journey here on Earth.   www.brandonisaak.ca Listen to "Jim O'Jim" on  Soundcloud